The Kyi-Leo's breed history began with an accidental mating between the Maltese and the Lhasa Apso in the 1950s in San Francisco, California. Breeding continued for about 20 years and then Harriet Linn named the dog and established a standard. Leo means lion in Latin and Kyi means dog in Tibetan. Known for their cat-like speed, this dog is said to use its front paws to clutch things.